//~ A Transcending Immortality Presentation... //~ Seifelios the Great... —} THE SEIFEARIAN EMPIRE The larger they are, the harder they fall. It has been proven throughout history, time and time again in the ancient world. As every empire grows more powerful with each passing day, with each passing battle, as they acquire more land and armies, they begin to weaken. On paper it seems impossible, how is it you can be so strong�?yet so weak? But in the real world, it’s very logical. The empire becomes far too large to control. The available men for war are needed to push further in the quest to further its reign of influence, or are needed to defend key cities in this massive empire; thus leaving large masses of land without the proper men needed to defend it and they become subject to invasions. Either by an invading army whom wishes to conquer the empire, take back what was once theirs, or the ever attacking barbarians. The empire begins to collapse as time goes on for it takes too long to get the warriors to the needed areas and everything begins to crumble and fall into the history books to be talked about centuries into the future as yet another empire that grew too large and finally collapsed. Yet this version of the Roman Empire�?is different. For as the history books will soon tell us, the former Roman Emperor Caesar Pompeus Augustus Noxima, also known as Noxima the Weak, was the man responsible for unintentionally driving Rome into the ground. His armies were unmatched and he was still acquiring mass territories, yet his lust for material possessions had taken precedence over the people, the city and the empire of Rome. Something had to be done, and so Rome’s greatest warrior, the High General of The Roman Empire’s 23rd Platoon decided it was time to put his plan in affect. For he was the only general who had yet to be defeated in battle. Many say he had already surpassed Achilles and Alexander in fighting skill and strategic wit when it came to battles. Unlike Noxima who had never left his castle walls, Seifelios {Pronounced Sigh-fee-leeuse} was the man who led his men into battle on every occasion. Right there in the front line killing alongside them. It was a feat of bravery and soon he became known as the fearless warrior. As time went on Seifelios gained respect from not only his soldiers, but their families. For though a lot of the wives hated war for it sent their sons and husbands off to potentially be killed, they took pride knowing that their General was fighting alongside them rather than behind them barking orders. Seifelios begun to build a legacy and was quite popular with the people for he had indeed become one of the most powerful warriors of all time. He believed in three things: Pride, honor and glory. Seifelios is a warrior who wanted to strike fear into his opponent’s hearts before he destroyed them. Which is why he was able to easily take over Noxima and the Empire with two of his most trusted generals. Under Seifelios, the empire thrived. It grew and it strengthened. Seifelios had been able to utilize his resources to make sure the areas that needed protection were protected. He proved to be smarter than past emperor’s by striking true fear into everyone who dared oppose him. Showing absolutely no mercy whatsoever. Hence why this era of the Roman Empire is known as the Seifearian Empire. Years of glory passed by as the Seifearian Empire continued to rule the modern {though ancient at the time} world. Seifelios had continued to fight alongside his fellow Romans whenever he was able to in midst of ruling his empire. Yet one day�?he disappeared. No one knows why or where he went, search parties were formed, but no one ever found him. The empire, much like Alexander’s, started to disintegrate. Without the mastermind Seifelios was, Rome did not stand a chance. As the months passed the empire stopped expanding, invasions became more frequent and smaller cities were being sacked. Desperation runs rampid in the city of Rome and over its entire empire. The people cry out for their fearless czar. They cry out for The Sempiternal Warrior to make his return and save them. They cry out for Seifelios the Great. Chaos is once again amidst in the city of Rome. The sight of men running around stealing items of food and accessories off of carts in the dirt streets, people being kidnapped and beaten around every corner and others crying out had become a daily ritual. The army was too focused on worrying about the evil’s lurking outside Rome’s crumbling walls than they were on the civil unrest taking place within�? Two horses are trotting through the city, both men dressed in Roman soldier gear as they keep their swords drawn, whacking down a few men who attempt to approach them in hostility. // Barnibus -}: I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Every day it’s the same thing, and every day we weaken. There were various candidates who attempted to take control but none of them looked past their own greedy wants and needs! And what we have now�?well our great empire is still crumbling behind temporary, but sadly soon to be permanent faulty leadership! Barnibus sighs as he looks over at the other high general, another one of Seifelios�?good friend, Danteserius {Pronounced Dante-sir-eeus}. // Danteserius -}: I agree Barnibus, something must be done. A woman in this day and age is not fit to rule an empire that has so much great history and has been built up by the visions of an immortal. The two of them reach the palace walls safely as they dismount their horses and begin to bring them around to the stable off to the side. The rioting was now only a muffled sound. // Barnibus -}: Do you think he achieved it? // Danteserius -}: I do not know. He challenged Mars, he could have been killed. // Barnibus -}: I still say it was foolish of him to do that. Mars was the one who gave him the Omnipotent! // Danteserius -}: Yes, but you know Seifelios as well as I do. He was a prideful Roman, yet he also believed in fighting for what you desire. He desired immortality and so he went on a quest to achieve it. I can hardly blame him. // Barnibus -}:  Well, I just hope he finds it soon and gets back here. I will admit to not liking Novameus {Pronounced Nova-mee-us} but I can admit that with his sadistic and ruthless ways, Rome just may have stood a chance if he had tried to take that final step in ascending to the throne�?/FONT> // Danteserius -}: Such a disappointment. He had a lot of potential and yet he just blew it all away. Though you know of the battles him and Seifelios fought when they were Generals. I believe that the very thought of taking over the Seifearian Empire would not sit well with him. Even once he changed the name to something in his own or back to the Roman. It’s just not who he is. // Barnibus -}: But a woman? She can not be any better! I don’t need to remind you of the rumors going around about her current state of mind, or lack thereof. I mean I gave her a chance but she has blown it at every turn. Other than keeping us Generals because she knows we’re the best, she cannot run the empire! Ruthless? Yes, the self-proclaimed Queen Jazmyna {Pronounced Jazz-mean-ah} is very ruthless, cold, calculating and is willing to kill anyone who dares stand in her way much like other great Emperor’s including Seifelios, but she hasn’t even been sworn in and she is already driving us to the ground! // Danteserius -}: I know Barnibus. She wishes so much for the power yet she is unable to control it. But at the moment there is nothing we can do. I have duties to attend to so I shall bid you adieu for now. Danteserius walks away from the stables as Barnibus looks down at his left hand. It has a scar across it and he closes his eyes, remembering how he received that scar. In a scene like many before them, the battlefield is spread with many dead bodies of the opposing army. The men have retreated back to camp and there stands Seifelios, staring up at the sky as he stands in a open space of dirt. Barnibus walks up behind him. // Barnibus -}: What are you looking at? // Seifelios -}: Nothing. I am envisioning our future. // Barnibus -}: Our? // Seifelios -}: Yes. Rome’s future. // Barnibus -}: What do you see? // Seifelios -}: I see a great warrior ascending to take over the throne of Rome. A man that has become known as the greatest warrior�?the greatest Roman of all time. An immortal. One who is equal to the very gods who watch over us. One day Barnibus, I am going to take over Rome. I love this land more than Noxima could ever and I know when the time is right, she shall be mine. // Barnibus -}: You know I shall stand beside you no matter what the cost. Seifelios turns around and cracks a smile as he takes his dagger from the front of his armor and brings it across his left hand, flinching only slightly as he draws his own blood. // Seifelios -}: Thank you my good friend. I vow to one day achieve the immortality I so seek and that one day I will not only take over Rome, but make it the grandest empire the world has ever seen. People will hear my name and immediately bow their heads in respect. Stories will be told of me for centuries and millenia that will frighten even the hardest of souls for I will strike fear into whomever opposes me. I will do these things Barnibus, this I promise. Barnibus takes his own dagger and does the same with his hand. // Barnibus -}: And I shall stand beside you. The two of them clasps bloody hands for a moment before Seifelios breaks the hold and replaces his dagger, Barn does the same. // Seifelios -}: Another great battle here, another victory for Rome. Go home to your wife Barnibus. I will see you back in Rome. Barnibus shakes his head as he snaps back to reality, still looking down at his scared hand. // Barnibus -}: I will find you Seifelios the Great. You will restore your empire and the evil Queen Jazmyna will never seize full control of Rome. This I promise. Two months ago in a land far, far away�?/STRONG> The heavens have rumbled as an angry god screams out in disgust. // Mars -}: NO!! It cannot be! // Seifelios -}: It is Mars, it is. You are just too stubborn to admit it. // Mars -}: I am the Roman God of War! I CANNOT be defeated in battle! // Seifelios -}: Deal with it however you must. You were defeated by a warrior more powerful than yourself. Now, stick to your word. Mars lowers his head as he puts his sword away and motions for Seifelios to follow him. What appears to be a battlefield of dirt becomes a cloud filled area. Mars points ahead to a circular structure suspended in the sky. // Seifelios -}: What is it? // Mars -}: That I cannot tell you. It is something so sacred and not even I know the name of it. What I can tell you however is that it is a place opposite of what The Everlasting is and stands for. It is where the gods dwell. Go there and as promised you shall achieve your immortality. Mars turns away and is soon gone as Seifelios looks back to the structure floating in the sky. Though a little cautious, he walks across the clouds and proceeds to hop over the stranded clouds to get to the room. // Seifelios -}: Finally. Immortality shall be mine! He enters the structure and is immediately blinded by a white light. But as he opens his eyes, they begin to adjust to the brightness. A booming voice appears and soon a figure appears behind it. // ??? -}: You have come to see me, why. // Seifelios -}: You know why. You know who I am and what I have done. Now you know what I have come for. // ??? -} Ahh. Seifelios the Great, as they call you. I see you have defeated Mars, quite an accomplishment. You’ve journeyed a long way for this Seifelios, leaving behind your honor to protect the city of Rome and your empire. // Seifelios -}: It is what needed to be done if I wished to continue ruling the way I have been. Had I not left then it would surely have crumbled in due time. Even I am not arrogant enough to believe that I could keep on ruling this way forever without transcending my own abilities, Jupiter. // Jupiter -}: You truly are the warrior they speak so fondly about. Seifelios the Great, as King of the Gods I grant you immortality. But it will come at a cost, remember that. Another white flash appears, this time knocking Seifelios out. One week after Barnibus made his promise, in a not so distant land�?/FONT> Barnibus hops off of his horse and leads it away from the lower part of the mountain, across the grass and towards the rippling river in the valley. As he nears he sees a figure up in the distance, leaning down in the banks of the river and taking a drink. Barnibus approaches with caution as he allows his horse to drink and draws his sword. // Barnibus -}: Who stands there! The figure ignores him and turns away as it begins to make its way up away from the river. Barnibus rushes after him and yells this time. // Barnibus -}: I said, who stands there! // Figure -}: Put it away Barnibus. Barnibus�?expression grows wide as he stands there dumbfounded. // Barnibus -}: Is it really you? The figure turns and leans up against a tree before slumping down it and looks over at Barnibus, he nods. // Barnibus -} Where the bloody hell have you been?! Did you achieve it? Seifelios stares out into the distance and after a moment answers. // Seifelios -}: I did. // Barnibus -}: Then you can return and rule your empire again! We’ve been looking for you Seifelios. The people cry out your name. // Seifelios -}: I’m not returning. // Barnibus -}: What? Why not?! // Seifelios -}: Barnibus, it was months ago in which I achieved immortality after goading Mars into promising it to me if I should defeat him. Now I know where we received our arrogance from, for they are as arrogant as us! I realized shortly after that I had achieved what I hoped to achieve. I already built a strong empire, what more is there left to do. // Barnibus -}: Seifelios�?do you hear yourself? // Seifelios -}: Loud and clear. You should go Barnibus. // Barnibus -}: But sir, the empire is crumbling! Those who fought their way up the ranks in order to ascend to the throne�?well one of them left and now we’re left with an insane Queen who hasn’t a clue what it takes to run the empire! She’s not even in charge and it’s already doing worse than it wa- // Seifelios -}: I said go. Barnibus looks down upon his scared hand and goes to say something else but shakes his head in defeat as he slowly walks away. Seifelios not once taking his eyes from the gaze out into the distance. Days later, back in Rome�?/FONT> // Danteserius -}: Well? Questions Danteserius as Barnibus arrives at his home. He shakes his head. // Danteserius -}: We’ve tried for months, I had a feeling this time would be no different. // Barnibus -}: It’s not that. I found him. He did it, he has become immortal. But he said he won’t be returning�?I saw the look in his eyes. The fire is gone, he is at peace. Danteserius is quiet for a moment, giving off a solemn look before breaking out into laughter. Barnibus just arches an eyebrow. // Barnibus -}: Pray tell. // Danteserius -}: I am disappointed Barnibus. I’ll bet Seifelios is as well. How easily you have given up hope. You’ve seen the things that man has done, he is a true Roman through and through. The fire in him will never be extinguished. At peace? He isn’t at peace Barnibus, he is in pain. He is most at peace when he is at war. This is why we prospered under his reign. Take me to him, we will have things to discuss. Days later, in a not so distant land�?/FONT> Arriving in the land similar to where Barnibus had found Seifelios, Barnibus and Danteserius get off their horses and leave them by the river as they head up towards the base of the mountain, looking for their friend. The storm clouds begin to roll in but the Romans pay it no mind as they continue the search. Up in the distance at the top of the small little cliff to the left of the larger mountain they stop him. Sitting down with his back to them as they begin the climb up there. Barnibus stops however. // Barnibus -}: You go. Perhaps you will have better luck. Danteserius nods his head as he reaches the top and approaches behind Seifelios but leaves a good amount of distance and just stands there in silence. A few moments of silence passes. // Seifelios -}: Going to attempt to persuade me as well, old friend? // Danteserius -}: I would never do such a thing. // Seifelios -}: You and I both know you’re lying. // Danteserius -}: And you and I both know that the fire still burns deep within your soul. That you are not happy here. What happened to the Seifelios that I once helped overthrow Noxima the Weak and the Roman Empire? The one who fights for himself and for Rome. You achieved your immortality, now it’s time to get back to what you do best. I didn’t come here to attempt to persuade you, if it was a mere attempt I could fail. I don’t fail, you know that. // Seifelios -}: Meh. // Danteserius -}: You can be really thick headed sometimes. // Seifelios -}: Must have been from hanging around with you too often. Seifelios cracks his first joke but keeps it dry as he turns around and Danteserius takes a seat. // Danteserius -}: Glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor Mister Immortal. Let’s go back to ruling the empire again. Do you really want a woman taking over what you worked so hard to build up? You once said a long time ago that women made men weak. What then do they make an empire? And so Danteserius poses a very good question. Seifelios is silent as he ponders what has just been said, Danteserius continues. // Danteserius -}: You are the best and you damn well know it. I could have taken over but the way Rome has been lately, if you didn’t enter into the tournament then you were shit out of luck. I was busy fending off invaders from the South land of Georgonia. There is no order and Jazmyna the self proclaimed Queen already has no idea what to do. Or well she thinks she does but she is clueless. Though I hate to say it we would have been better off if Novameus had stuck around and fought her to the finish to see who becomes the new emperor. At least behind that killer instinct he was somewhat more sane, but he bailed so now it’s just a matter of time before the throne is officially hers and Rome will be doomed. // Seifelios -}: What a shame. Seifelios says with a shrug of a shoulder, not caring one bit. // Danteserius -}: He couldn’t take the pressure. She defiantly has no idea what she is in for, you’re the only logical choice Seifelios. And what better time than now? The people are calling out your name! Return Rome to its glory days under the SeiFEARian Empire! Strike fear into the hearts of your enemies like you once did. More importantly, strike fear into Queen Jazmyna and destroy the evil that looks to destroy Rome from the inside. I’ve nothing further to say other than I will see you back in Rome and I will break out the wine when you arrive and we shall celebrate into the morning. For the return of Seifelios the Great is upon us and the next day we will begin our rise to power once more. Danteserius gets up and walks briskly away without saying another word. He says those last words with such confidence that it would seem as if Seifelios would stand up and come with him, but he doesn’t. Danteserius and Barnibus depart and head back to Rome as Seifelios watches them ride off and is left alone once more. // Seifelios -}: Seifelios the Great. Hmmm, I still like the sound of that. Seifelios turns and stares off once more into the distance as the scene fades to blood red. Could the return of one of the greatest warriors and emperors of all time be on the horizon?